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arrow full in the face. Ian's back itched with apprehension as he climbed, although probably his mail would be firm enough to protect him at the angle he presented to the wall. |
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Right at his heels Owain climbed. He had his sword unscabbarded, hung from a leather thong at his wrist. Ian could hear it clink dully against the ladder from time to time. He hoped Owain would have sense enough to stay back sufficiently far that he did not get kicked in the head. He hoped the loose sword would not catch on a rung and either tear free or trip Owain. He hoped the free-swinging blade would not strike Geoffrey, who was directly behind Owain. Then the ladder swayed alarmingly. Ian could hear the overstrained wood groan as men on the wall hooked the top struts and tried to push it outward. |
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Panting slightly with effort, Ian struggled to increase his rate of climb. He did not think the ladder could be pushed outward and overturned. The angle at which it lay against the wall had been carefully thought outIan was no novice at wall-scaling. But if it could be lifted from its rest position, it might be tipped sideways, or the weight might be shifted completely onto one strut. If so, the pegging and lashing might not hold, or the foot of the strut might break. The only protection against that was to have sufficient weight at the top to prevent the ladder from being shifted. Ian drew a deep breath and moved his eyes from the rungs of the ladder to the side. He was no coward, but, when fully armed, he feared heights. To die in battle was one thing. To be crushed and broken and, perhaps, live to mend all awry and to be crippledthat was something else again. |
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The distance of the ground below at once brought relief and cold sweat. In the next moment, the easing of the pressure on the ladder was a warning. With a desperate effort, Ian lifted his shield over his head. A blow struck it and then another, but Ian laughed. The edge of the shield had not caught the wall. He was up! |
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